Leading up to Independence Day, a deep dive into American-made brands was in order. What I discovered was a treasure trove of creativity, innovation, and heart. From legacy brands that have been around for decades to brands just entering the marketplace, I hope you’ll fall in love with these companies as I have.
Founded in 2015 by Abby Kircher, this family-operated, clean-label snack food brand produces its broad range of nut butter products in their manufacturing facility in Mooresville, NC. Their protein-infused cashew, pecan, and almond nut butters and little Snack Bites are sweetened with fruits or honey instead of artificial sweeteners, and almost all contain five or fewer ingredients.
$4.99 and up.
Originally founded by Air & Anchor co-owner, Rachel Ajaj’s grandfather, this jewelry brand makes its men’s and women’s jewelry in their family-owned factory in Rhode Island. The brand also works with local artisan partners to create their lifestyle goods and accessories.
Price: $18 and up
This husband and wife-owned swimwear and loungewear company is known for their inclusive sizing and styling. The brand is named for the Albion Basin at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, and all prints and silhouettes are not designed in-house and shipped from their warehouse in Utah. I had a chance to try their suits and found them to be incredibly flattering and well-made. The brand strives to make manufacturing greener by recycling plant waste and using earth-friendly materials.
Price: $64 and up
Launched in 1833, American Optical pioneered affordable and functional eyewear. They manufacture in the US and have provided styles worn by presidents, pilots, and space crews. My favorites are their chic and simple Saratoga frames ($199 and up).
This third-generation family business was started by Atoria, who aimed to replicate her family’s hearth-oven recipes from Assyrian villages near Mesopotamia. The delicious breads are made with modernized authentic family recipes. Specialties include low-carb and vegan flatbreads, Lavash, Pizza Crust, Naan, Pita, and more using simple, non-GMO ingredients, like whole grains, cauliflower, and coconut, with no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Price: $3.99 and up
This furniture brand makes hand-crafted, custom-sized sofas and sectionals in under five weeks – incredibly fast in the furniture business! Their ordering process includes sending a life-sized printout of your custom sizing before your order is finalized, so you can double-check the sizing.
Price: $3,800 and up
This brand makes low-carb, keto-friendly entrees, pizzas, pizza crusts, and flatbreads that make healthier eating easy. One of my favorites is the pizza crust (3 packs of 2, $38.85), which is made using the entire cauliflower.
This U.S. Hemp Authority-certified brand was founded in 2016 by a group of Colorado natives with the goal of providing high-quality, reasonably-priced CBD products to customers. One of their newest products is the Unwind Synergy+ THC & CBD Gummies ($60) which provide a subtle buzz plus the relaxing qualities of CBD and can be shipped across the US (except HI, CO, ID & OR).
This USDA-certified organic skin and hair care brand creates 100 percent natural products made with wholesome ingredients that are good for you and not harmful to the planet. Their packaging is over 99 percent plastic-free and sustainably sourced. I tried their Face & Eye Moisturizing Mousse, which smells amazing and has a delightful whipped texture.
Price: $6 and up
Founder Elizabeth Rees is the third generation of her family in the paper business, learning about the industry from her father and grandparents as she grew up. Chasing Paper offers traditional and removable wall coverings, peel-and-stick flooring, art prints, and wall decals, all made to order in Milwaukee, WI.
Price: $45+ for wallpaper
This meat and fish delivery business brings premium, hand-cut meat, and seafood directly to your door, eliminating the need for a visit to the butcher. There are multiple size options for an intimate family dinner to large gatherings, and the meats and fish are all sourced from farms in the U.S. that value sustainable and humane practices. The goods are taste-tested in the Chop Box Test Kitchen, hand-cut daily by artisan butchers, and delivered frozen for maximum freshness. I was able to sample a selection of their fish and it was top-notch.
Price: Single servings start at $4.99
This California Olive Oil from 7th-generation Italian farmers is a chef favorite. The olives are harvested in the fall when antioxidants are at their peak, brought to Corto’s onsite mill and cold-extracted within hours of harvest. The oil is packaged in oxygen-free FlavorLock boxes, and dark bottles to block air, heat, and light. No orders are stored for more than 4-6 weeks in the climate-controlled warehouse.
Signature EVOO: $24.99
Based in Norristown, PA, Crazy Aaron’s is known for their award-winning Thinking Putty and Land of Dough, their eco-friendly dough. The products are manufactured in the brand’s wind-powered facility using reclaimed landfill gas for heat. New products include the Horoscope Thinking Putty ($15) and Honey Hive Thinking Putty ($12).
This mother-daughter-owned crayon brand is based in Hoboken, NJ, and got its start when the mom, Susan, was furloughed from her job in fashion after 25 years. The brand was inspired by The Day the Crayons Quit book and born out of one of their mother-daughter quarantine craft projects, which Jessie, the daughter, handed out to friends. Cre8ive Crayonz is known for their Gift Boxes ($11 and up) and personalized name crayons ($14.95 and up).
This brand was founded by a mom who is a 20+ year veteran of the cosmetic and personal care ingredients space. This all-natural and vegan bath line for kids makes its products in CA with all ingredients sourced in the US in bottles made from post-consumer recycled plastic. All the products are made with 10 ingredients or less, which are plant-derived and dermatologist-tested to be safe for all ages. Their latest collection is the 4th of July bundle ($54 for 3 bottles, 44 percent off through July 4 with code 44for4) includes the best-selling 3-in-1 bubble bath, body wash & shampoos in Vanilla Whip, Blueberry & Strawberry.
This jewelry brand specializes in effortless, stylish, and affordable pieces that are handcrafted for sensitive skin with 14k gold-filled or sterling silver materials and semi-precious stones. The brand supports charities like Feeding America, Girl Up, and more.
Price: $15 and up.
This award-winning chocolate company was founded by Nicole Patel, an engineer-turned-chocolatier. The brand offers a wide assortment of treats, from handmade truffles and barks to rich drinking chocolate, handcrafted in Patel’s Austin, TX Culinary Center. I had a chance to try their Taste of the South chocolate truffle collection ($35.95), which contains a selection of delicious and uniquely-flavored Southern-inspired truffles. Yum!
Duckworth’s ‘Sheep to Shelf’ supply chain begins with Merino sheep raised on Montana ranches. The wool is then spun, knitted, dyed, and assembled here in the US. The premium wool apparel includes cozy long-sleeve shirts, which I had a chance to try, socks, camisoles, hoodies, jackets, hats, and more.
Price: $15 and up
These certified-organic products are formulated for the sensitive skin of infants and small children using a trademarked OleoSphere Technology to deliver the high-performance ingredients. Parents use the award-winning lotion ($8) and moisturizing hand santizer ($5) for their babies and themselves.
I am no stranger to topical pain relief products and Elixicure really works, thanks to its long-lasting, timed-release pain relief using nanotechnology. Better yet, it’s all-natural and organic, using plant-based ingredients, like menthol, wintergreen oil, aloe vera leaf juice, and willow bark. It comes in two scents, Original (menthol) and Lavender, and is available as a Cream or a Roll-On. I tried the Lavender cream and found it to be very effective for a pain in my hip that I’ve been struggling with ($19.98).
This brand’s ethos is that your skincare should be straightforward, effective, and backed by science. They specialize in delicious gummies that benefit the skin, including their Retinol Gummy (the world’s first, according to the brand), and their S.O.S gummy, which is for people who struggle with itchy, dry, and irritated skin. They also just launched their first topical product, One & Done Oil Cleanser, which is a lovely-smelling oil-to-lotion cleanser.
Price: $28 and up
Founder John Aylworth formerly worked in surgical sales and became fascinated by the healing ability of stem cells. He formed a team of research scientists, which isolated growth factors, polypeptide complexes, and cytokines from ethically-derived human stem cells from fat tissue; used to restart and heal the skin. I’ve tried their Eye & Lash Cream and Regenerative Serum, which are both lovely.
Price: $22.00 and up
Founded in 1856, Ferry-Morse is the oldest operating seed company in the US, according to the brand. Headquartered in Norton, MA, Ferry-Morse provides gardeners with high-quality, non-GMO products, including their Plantlings, which are live ready-to-plant baby plants with established root systems.
Price: $9.99 and up
This fashion brand was created by a mother-daughter team who have a combined 48 years of apparel experience with brands like Kohls, Lands’ End, and Under Armour. The goal of the brand is to help female travelers travel stylishly while packing light, by using a proprietary printing process that features two unique prints to be printed on either side of a single layer of fabric, making them reversible, or “flipped”. The fabrics are soft, flowy, lightweight, and wrinkle-free, perfect for wherever your travels take you. I tried the Jogger and the Relaxed Tee and I’m sure I will wear them a lot!
Price: $88.00 and up
This sugar and preservative-free energy drink, which is the official energy drink of the LA Lakers, was created by former NFL star Jerry Rice and his daughter Jaqui Rice Gold, making it the first Black-owned energy drink company, according to the company. The drinks are available in eight delicious flavors and contain healthy ingredients including cordyceps mushrooms, natural caffeine, green tea, and electrolytes In addition to a boost of energy, G.O.A.T. drinks increase endurance, reduce inflammation, and helps with post-workout recovery.
Price: $35.99 for 12
This brand started with a 100-year-old family recipe and a hand-built wooden pickle cart in Boston. Today, their pickle chips, whole pickles, spears, pickle salsas (yum!), and more, ship nationwide. These low-calorie, Whole 30-approved snacks are gluten-free, fat-free, certified Kosher, and vegan. I tried several flavors and found them to be more elevated in flavor than traditional pickles.
Price: $6 and up
This skincare brand offers a selection of eco-friendly face salves, hair serums, aluminum-free deodorant, beard oils and more, using natural oils, butters, and clays. A great intro to the brand is the Exceptional Skin Regimen Kit ($51.99), which contains a face mask, cleansing bar, Konjac sponge, face salve, and lip balm, all in earth-friendly packaging.
Prices: $3.99 and up
Did you know that the iconic Jelly Belly jelly beans were made in California? Jelly Belly sets itself apart from the competition with their unique flavor combinations, and by adding flavor not only to the outer shell of the jelly bean but also on the inside. It actually takes 7-14 days to make one Jelly Belly jelly bean! Their latest set, the 10 Flavor Jelly Bean Patriotic Gift Box ($7.99), includes Blueberry, Buttered Popcorn, Cinnamon, Coconut, and more.
Joggy is a brand for active lifestyles, with a range of plant-based energetics designed to provide energy, focus, and calm throughout your day. Favorites of mine are their Re-Chargies CBD gummies and Ready Steady calming CBD drops. I also really like their packaging, which is very colorful, unlike most CBD brands.
Price: $35 and up
This skincare brand is inspired by the green juice trend, with treatment products packaged in beverage-style recyclable bottles and packed with a blend of 30 hydrating fruits and vegetables, like kale, cucumber, coconut, and blueberry. The brand is also 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. The products smell and feel fantastic.
Price: $32 and up
This skincare brand aims to create functional products for folks to use in the great outdoors, including sunscreens and bug repellents. The vegan, cruelty-free, and Leaping Bunny-certified products are formulated without phthalates, parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances. The stylish packaging is recycled in partnership with TerraCycle. A favorite of mine is their Cloud Cover water-resistant mineral body sunscreen, SPF 35.
This Black-owned women’s bamboo apparel line cuts and sews all their garments in their Pittsburgh, PA workshop, and the company is committed to supporting the American apparel industry. Their pieces are comfortable, yet elegant, including my favorite Draped Shorts ($125), which I will be wearing ALL summer.
This natural, DIY lawn care subscription offers a custom mix of products that care for your lawn’s specific needs, based on a soil sample that you submit. Lawnbright helps you care for your lawn along the way with text alerts based on your local weather conditions, letting you know the best time to apply products, seed, and more.
Price: Seasonal subscriptions start at approximately $200. Individual products start at $28.
This best-selling leather cleaner and conditioner was created by “Grandfather McGowen” in 1968 to extend the wear of leather shoes. (He tested his product on his mail carrier with great success). Leather Honey helps to restore leather shoes, furniture, jackets, car seats, and more, offering 6 months of protection. The non-toxic, water-repelling formula soaks into and hydrates the leather, and is natural and safe for kids and pets.
Price: $16.99 and up
This designer has a love for all things Hollywood, and her designs are inspired by her elegant mother and friends as they prepped and primped for their Beverly Hills soirees.
Monica is best known for her pleated Esmeralda caftan, which is sustainably made from vintage wrinkle-free polyester. Her caftans and dresses are made in downtown LA from close-out and vintage fabrics.
Price: $210 and up
Award-winning My Green Mattress was founded by a Dad who wanted to create a non-toxic and hypoallergenic mattress for his baby daughter. This family-owned and operated brand aims to make the most affordable and safe organic sleep products available in their organic certified factory located in Willowbrook, Illinois. The luxurious Natural Escape starts at $999 for a twin.
This puzzle brand creates hundreds of different intricate wooden jigsaw puzzles for adults with soy-based inks and formaldehyde-free, sustainably harvested FSC-certified birch/basswood plywood. The puzzles are made in California.
Price: $15.95 and up
No Fade Fresh was founded by renowned hair colorist, Leland Hirsch, who pioneered the technology for color-depositing shampoos and conditioners. There are 13 clean, semi-permanent plant-based color-depositing shampoos and conditioners that are salon-quality and won’t damage the hair. The line is sold on their site as well as Amazon, Rite Aid, and CVS.
Price: $9.99 and up
Nuele was founded by two women who wanted to have healthy, well-nourished, and manageable hair without using chemical relaxers or keratin treatments. The brand is known for its flagship Hair Serum, and recently launched a Hydrating Hair Mask, which you mix for each use, Nighttime Scalp Serum, and Brow Serum. All products are 100 percent natural and organic, vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable, and fair trade with no phthalates, parabens, or sulfates.
Price: $34 and up
These compression sleeves use award-winning technology to deliver time-release relief for sore, painful muscles for the wrists, knees, and baby bump, and more. The active ingredients are activated by body temperature and moisture you can feel them working! The sleeves can be worn for up to 150 hours, lasting for up to 15 wash cycles.
Price: $17 and up.
A husband and wife team started Outlaw back in 2013 to create fragrances that evoked the feeling of being outdoors, while they worked indoors. The body lotions, colognes, bar soaps, and more come in transportive scents of campfire, sagebrush, leather, and whiskey. The products are ethically packaged in sustainable containers with cheeky labels. Their soap sampler and cologne sampler are fun ways to become acquainted with the brand.
Price: $6 and up
This brand with a father and son at the helm produces nutritious and flavorful plant-based meats using sustainable hemp, pea protein, brown rice, and other healthy ingredients. Hemp happens to be one of the most versatile crops, requiring less water than other crops. It also regenerates the soil and naturally resists pests and fungi with no pesticides.
Price: $19 and up
This delicious water, which is available in still and sparkling, is cleaner than the bottled water you are used to; caught before it hits the ground so it does not require chemicals like chlorine, fluoride, or ammonia. Richard’s Rainwater’s closed-loop process allows them to clean 100% of rainwater with virtually zero waste, making it the most renewable option for drinking water, according to the brand.
Price: $1.49 and up
As a young adult, founder, Jill Ramsey, designed a board game with her brother that sold 100,000 copies. When her kids were old enough for games, she partnered with Be Creative Studios to launch their line of Socially Twisted Games, Party Game, Friends & Family Game, and Kids Game, where players combine story and word cards to compete to be the best storyteller. There’s also a free Socially Twisted app.
Price: $19.99
Created by parents and outdoor enthusiasts who believe in the importance of supporting the local economy, this weather-resistant blanket can be used on the ground for picnics or can be hung by its grommets to shield you from the sun and rain. The Tarpestrys are available in a broad range of colors and patterns and are manufactured in Boone, North Carolina.
Price: $154 and up
These stylish candles are hand-poured in Kentucky. The scents are inspired by favorite cocktails and made with coconut and soy blended wax made with hemp core cotton wicks in a reusable rocks glass. Each cocktail-scented candle comes with a matching recipe. I tried the Cosmopolitan and it smells delicious!
Price: $24 and up
This female-founded brand creates sustainably and ethically made activewear with flattering cuts and unique prints. A member of 1 percent for the planet, Yoga Democracy makes their apparel using post-consumer recycled plastics and repurposing excess fabrics by filling dog beds to donate to local dog shelters. Available online or in their Arizona and New York store locations.
Price: $36 and up
This brand was founded by ophthalmologist Dr. Nicky Shah after seeing how many of her patients neglected to care for their eyes. She teamed up with her cosmetic chemist dad to create skincare products to treat the eye area with products like Keep it Fresh Foaming Cleanser, which cleanses and removes makeup in one step, Soothe Operator Rollerball Eye Serum (a favorite of mine) to soothe and hydrate the eye area and Lids, and Love and Lash Serum, that has ingredients like panthenol and biotin to help lashes from long and strong.
Price: $21.99 and up
Want more? Check out the Makers of the USA podcast, which highlights the stories of startups and makers around the country. Three of their favorite featured brands are Brant & Cochran Maine Wedge Axes, Freckled Fuchsia tea towels, prints, and more, and Owl Stools handcrafted stools for healthy posture.
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